Safety education is what’s needed

Regarding Senate Bill 6396, banning the sale of assault weapons:

I will provide a suggestion — not just a rant.

We all should become versed in the statistics regarding gun control. California, with the highest “Brady” rating and its violent crime rate/murder rate, compared with states that rank considerably lower on the “Brady” scale. That is same old conversation.

I am against SB 6396. The type of weapon or the amount the magazine holds is no more the point than what kind of vehicle you drove to work in. You got there. You got the job done. Why ban one car or another if they are legal? People make choices. I will suggest that banning a type of gun is counterproductive.

What will make a difference? Training. My daughter (and I) have spent considerably more time and money getting her first driver’s license than I spent getting my first concealed weapons permit. No training, just $50 and a clean record.

There are many gun safety courses, concealed carry 101, home defense, defensive handgun, classes offered all over the state. Attending one or more of these classes would make the owners much more confident and capable, increasing safety considerably.

Having more people trained, confident and competent carrying a concealed weapon makes me feel safer, not less so — knowing that others can help protect me and my family when we are out. It is a proven deterrent. In the time of tighter budgets and less government services, it makes sense.

Matthew Boyle

Snohomish

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